Local

Digging their way into the Ames music scene, Mr. Plow have been as well known to Iowa State students lately as the Backstreet Boys have been to the nation’s teenie-boppers.

Mr. Plow are set to release their debut CD on Oct. 9 and are putting finishing touches on their Website, www.mrplow.net.

The six-piece funk rap act will be opening for Iowa hardcore veterans 35″ Mudder at People’s Bar and Grill Sunday. As fans may know, Mudder is on the verge of signing a national record deal, and label reps may be present at the gig.

Deviant and Custom also will be performing at the all ages show. Doors open at 4 p.m. Tickets are $5.

Former Smashing Pumpkins and Pearl Jam opener, The Frogs, are coming to town this weekend.

Expect this group of amphibians to put on one hell of a hoppin’ show. Past performances have included spoken word and costumed theatrics in addition to music.

Ultimate Fakebook will open the 10 p.m. show. Tickets are $8 for students, $10 general admission.

Regional

For a more relaxed evening, do as the birds do and head south. “Rockin’ in Rhythm: The Small Band Music of Duke Ellington” is coming to Des Moines this Sunday evening as part of “Jazz at the Lincoln Center.”

Guest music director Nicholas Payton will be leading members of the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra with Dianne Reeves and Joe Lovano, according to a flyer.

The nostalgic event will begin at 7 p.m. at the Hoyt Sherman Theater (15th and Woodland). Tickets are available through Ticketmaster (515) 249-0507.

National

The Stone Temple Pilots, minus their notoriously doped-up lead singer, Scott Wieland, are currently out promoting their new album, “No. 4.”

Monday night, bassist Robert DeLeo, guitarist Dean DeLeo and drummer Eric Kretz played a private party in L.A. celebrating the upcoming production of “Hedwig,” a rock musical produced by David Bowie, according to MTV News.

The album’s first single, “Down,” is being “rush-released,” said STP’s manager, after the record was leaked to radio stations early and is now expected to legitimately hit the radio waves within a week. The album itself won’t be out until Oct. 26.

Pavement have been touring the United States in support of their most recent release, “Terror Twilight”. Future stops don’t include Iowa (surprise, surprise). But if you enjoy driving, you’re in for a treat.

The rock band will be in Lawrence, Kan. on Oct. 13, St. Louis on Oct. 14 and Chicago on Oct. 15.